Tail for frames

ABSTRACT

A tail including a malleable cord and an elastomeric material surrounding the cord wherein the tail is adapted for connection to an object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.60/488,661 filed Jul. 21, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to frames and, more particularly, to aframe with an attached tail comprised of a malleable cord that holds itsshape, such as a malleable metal, surrounded by an elastomeric material.

2. Related Art

It is generally known to display images, such as photographs, pictures,posters, etc. by mounting them in picture frames. It is also generallyknown to mount a picture frame on a wall by hanging the picture frame ona hook or other appendage attached to the wall. Freestanding pictureframes are also generally known today and are supported on a planarsurface with the aid of the frame itself or a post attached to the backof the frame.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,127 (the “'127 patent”) issued toBauer in 2003 discloses a picture frame which includes an opening in theback of the picture frame to facilitate hanging the picture frame on awall. The '127 patent discloses hanging the picture frame on a nail orhook driven into the wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,948 (the “'948 patent”) issued to Szarata in 2003discloses a system for hanging picture frames. The hanging system has atleast one hanger which is attachable to a picture frame. The hanger hasat least one holding mechanism for a hanging cord by which the pictureframe can be hung on the hanging cord.

While this prior art does disclose picture frames and hanging systems,none of this prior art discloses a picture frame, which by virtue of anew tail can be attached to virtually any object, made into afreestanding base, or twisted and manipulated to sit or hang anywhere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a frame that includes atail having a malleable cord surrounded by an elastomeric material. Thetail may be attached to virtually any object, made into a freestandingbase, or twisted and manipulated to sit or hang anywhere. The tail maybe conveniently manipulated by all persons, and the frame stays where itis placed.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a tail having amalleable cord surrounded by elastomeric material which attaches toalmost any object, including but not limited, to a frame, a mirror, aremote control, a stuffed animal, a book holder, a paper holder aflashlight, a lighter and a light.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a tail havinga malleable cord surrounded by an elastomeric material that includes aconnector.

In accordance with one or more of the above aspects of the invention,there is provided a frame including a tail having a malleable material,such as a bendable metal, surrounded by an elastomeric material. In oneembodiment, the tail is manipulated to hang from virtually any objectincluding a ledge or a rod. In another embodiment, the tail ismanipulated into a freestanding base which supports the frame. In analternative embodiment, the tail may be attached to virtually any objectincluding but not limited to a mirror, a remote control, a stuffedanimal, a book holder, a paper holder a flashlight, a lighter and alight. In this embodiment, the tail may be attached to virtually anyobject, made into a freestanding base, or twisted and manipulated to sitor hang anywhere.

These aspects are merely illustrative of the innumerable aspectsassociated with the present invention and should not be deemed aslimiting in any manner. These and other aspects, features and advantagesof the present invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the referenceddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthe specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present inventionand together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofthe invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates the various ways in which the tail attached to theframe may be bent or manipulated to form a base for the frame; and tohang the frame from the tail by twisting the tail around a rod, and tohang the frame by draping the tail from a shelf.

FIG. 2 illustrates one frame variation and the tail twisted to form abase for the frame.

FIG. 3 illustrates several possible frame variations including etched ormolded decorations and messages on the frame.

FIG. 4 illustrates the composition of the tail including a malleablecord surrounded by an elastomeric material.

FIG. 5 illustrates the tail which may be attached to virtually anyobject. The illustration includes a cut-away of the tail revealing themalleable cord surrounded by an elastomeric material.

FIG. 6 illustrates one manner of attaching the tail to the frame inwhich the tail attaches to a cross-shaped extension of the frame on theback of the frame

FIG. 7 illustrates another manner of attaching the tail to the frame inwhich the tail attaches to a cross-shaped extension of the frame on thebottom of the frame

FIG. 8 illustrates another manner of attaching the frame and tail inwhich the tail is attached to the frame through a molded extension ofthe frame.

FIG. 9 illustrates another manner of attaching the tail to the frame inwhich the tail is slipped through an extruded hole in the frame.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another manner of attaching the tail to theframe by encapsulating the malleable cord of the tail in the moldedplastic frame.

FIG. 11 illustrates the tail comprising a jigsaw connector.

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in which thetail is twisted into a base to support the frame.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in whichthe tail is twisted into a base to support the frame and into the shapeof a heart.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in whichthe tail is twisted into a base to support the frame and the frameincludes a lighting apparatus.

FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in whichthe tail is wrapped around a floral arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Forexample, the invention is not limited in scope to the particular type ofindustry application depicted. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as notto obscure the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1-15, the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention generally includes a frame 10 attached with a tail 12. Theframe 10 may be constructed of practically any rigid material,including, but not limited to, plastic, wood, metal, polycarbonate, orplastic-like material. However, in the preferred embodiment, the frame10 is preferably constructed of a clear polycarbonate material. In thepreferred embodiment, the frame has at least one visual display area 14.The visual display area 14 may contain practically any desired visualimage, including but not limited to a picture, a photograph, a poster,or a mirror. The frame 10 may be constructed in practically any shapeand with practically any design. However, in the preferred embodiment,the frame 10 is constructed in the shape of a rectangle. In a furtherpreferred embodiment, the rectangular picture frame 10 may be providedwith a cavity, and the cavity may be filled with a colored non-toxicliquid. This type of picture frame is sold under the name “Pictails” bySt. Anthony's Hospital, located in St. Louis, Mo.

The tail 12 comprises a malleable cord 16 surrounded by practically anyelastomeric material 18, including but not limited to, plastic, foam,rubber, neoprene rubber, or gel. The elastomeric material 18 may betacky, adhesive or sticky to resist slippage. The malleable cord 16 maybe composed of virtually any malleable material, including but notlimited to a bendable metal, a wire, or a hay bailing wire. Themalleable cord 16 may also be composed of one or more readily malleablewires. One end of the tail 12 is preferably attached to an end cap 20.The end cap 20 may be constructed of practically any rigid material,including, but not limited to, plastic or plastic-like material. Theother end of the tail is preferably attached to a connector 22. Theconnector 22 may be constructed of practically any rigid materialincluding, but not limited to, plastic or plastic-like material. Inanother embodiment, the malleable cord 16 is folded back to create ablunt end portion of the malleable cord 16.

In the preferred embodiment, the tail 12 comprises a wire surrounded byrubber which is preferably tacky to resist slippage. In the preferredembodiment, the preferred rubber is Empilon 700 series thermoplasticrubber, and may be obtained from Hotai Industrial Co. Ltd. The tail 12may be in practically any length, diameter, and color. The tail 12 maybe twisted into practically any shape, including but not limited to, aspiral, a circle, a heart, a rectangle, a square, a curved line, and astraight line. The tail 12 may be twisted into a base to support theframe 10 alone. The tail 12 may be twisted into virtually any shape toprovide the base for the frame 10, including but not limited to aspiral, a loop, an L-shape, a U-shape, or a heart shape. The tail 12 mayalso be wrapped around practically any object, including but not limitedto, a bed frame, a vase, a floral arrangement, a pole, a rod, a ledge.In the preferred embodiment, the tacky rubber provides adherence to theobject.

The tail 12 may be attached to the frame 10 by virtually any means ofattachment. In the preferred embodiment, the tail 12 is fixedly attachedto the frame 10 via a cross-shaped extension 24 of the frame 10. Inparticular, the plastic connector 22 attached to one end of the tail 12is preferably fixedly attached to the cross-shaped extension 24 of theframe 10. In another embodiment, the tail 12 is removably attached tothe frame 10 via the cross-shaped extension 24 of the frame. In yetanother embodiment, the tail 12 is removably attached to the frame 10via a molded extension 26 of the frame 10. In another embodiment, thetail 12 is removably attached to the frame 10 via a hole 28 in the frame10. In another embodiment, the tail 12 fixedly attached to the frame 10by encapsulating the malleable cord 16 of the tail 12 in the frame 10.

In another embodiment, the tail 12 may be attached to virtually anyobject, including but not limited to: a mirror, a remote control, astuffed animal, a book holder, a paper holder a flashlight, a lighterand a light. The tail 12 may be attached to the object by virtually anymeans of attachment. In one embodiment, the tail 12 may be fixedlyattached with the object via an injection mold. In another embodiment,the tail 12 may be removably attached with the object via a hole 28 inthe object.

In another embodiment, the tail 12 may comprise an interlockingconnector 30. The interlocking connector 30 may be attached to virtuallyany object including but not limited to: a frame, a mirror, a remotecontrol, a stuffed animal, a book holder, a paper holder a flashlight, alighter and a light.

In another embodiment, the frame 10 may comprise a lighting apparatus32. The lighting apparatus 32 illuminates the frame 10 or areasurrounding the frame 10. The lighting apparatus 32 may be practicallyany apparatus which illuminates an area.

In another embodiment, the frame 10 may be constructed of a clearplastic which contains a liquid. The liquid may be clear or virtuallyany color.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages ofthe invention are achieved and attained.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention invarious embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methodsherein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoingdescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of thepresent invention should not be limited by any of the above-describedexemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with thefollowing claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

1. A frame assembly, comprising: a frame; and a tail attached to saidframe, wherein said tail includes a malleable cord and an elastomericmaterial surrounding said cord.
 2. The frame assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid tail is fixedly attached to said frame.
 3. The frame assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said tail includes a male connector and wherein saidframe includes a female connector to receive said male connector therebypermitting said tail to be removably attached to said frame.
 4. Theframe assembly of claim 1 wherein said frame includes a male connectorsaid and wherein said tail includes a female connector to receive saidmale connector thereby permitting said tail to be removably attached tosaid frame.
 5. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said tail includesan interlocking connector and said frame includes an interlockingconnector thereby permitting said tail to be removably attached to saidframe.
 6. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises avisual display area and wherein said visual display area includes anobject and wherein said object is selected from the group consisting of:a picture, a poster, or a mirror.
 7. The frame assembly of claim 1wherein said frame comprises a lighting apparatus.
 8. The frame assemblyof claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material is selected from the groupconsisting of: rubber, plastic, neoprene rubber, foam and gel.
 9. Theframe assembly of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material is tacky.10. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said tail is formed in a shapeselected from the group consisting of: a spiral, a circle, a heart, arectangle, a square, a curved line, and a straight line.
 12. The frameassembly of claim 1 wherein said tail is a base of said frame.
 13. Theframe assembly of claim 1 wherein said tail is wrappable around anobject.
 14. The frame assembly of claim 13 wherein said tail iswrappable around an object selected from the group consisting of: a bedframe, a vase, a floral arrangement, a pole, a rod, a ledge.
 15. A tailcomprising a malleable cord; and an elastomeric material surroundingsaid cord, wherein said tail is adapted for connection to an object. 16.The tail as in claim 15 wherein said tail includes a connector therebypermitting said tail to be attached to the object.
 17. The tail as inclaim 15 wherein said tail is adapted for connection to an objectselected from the group consisting of: a frame, a mirror, a remotecontrol, a stuffed animal, a book holder, a paper holder a flashlight, alighter and a light.
 18. The tail as in claim 15 wherein said malleablecord is a wire.
 19. The tail as in claim 15 wherein said elastomericmaterial is selected from the group consisting of: rubber, plastic,neoprene, plastic, foam and gel.
 20. The tail as in claim 19 whereinsaid elastomeric material is tacky.
 21. The tail as in claim 20 whereinsaid tail is wrappable around an object selected from the groupconsisting of: a bed frame, a pole, a rod, and a ledge.
 22. The tail asin claim 15 wherein said tail is formed in a shape selected from thegroup consisting of: a spiral, a circle, a heart, a rectangle, a square,a curved line, and a straight line.